In 2005 the Senate did pass a resolution to drill ANWR on a 51-49 vote..close because of some "moderate" Republicans, called "RINOS" joined the solid Democrat "lemming
mentality" while voting. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7195164 Drilling ANWR bills have been passed since, but Democrats and RINOS have held up the process by various
Machiavellian manipulations since then.
The measure only called for drilling on 2,000 acres out of a total of 1, 500, 000 acres, and that confined to one spot on the north shore. Even then, how much
much "footprint' will be required on that 2,000 acres by say, 300 @ of 6 or 8 inch well casings and the roads to reach them ? Estimated supply short term, is
estimated at from something like 5.7 billion barrels to 16.5 billion barrels..median being 10.5 billion barrels.
The story of the recent controversy is posted at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_Refuge_drilling_controversy..
Continually, the Democrats and RINOS have stood as a roadblock to our energy independence, scuttling every attempt to drill any more in Alaska, the Pacific, Atlantic
or the Gulf of Mexico.
Meanwhile, Cuba, China, Venezuela, and Mexico have drilled the off-limits-to-us Gulf in ever increasing numbers, China, Japan, India, Russia and how many others are
drilling the off-limits-to-us Pacific..while the UK, Netherlands and others are tapping the off-limits-to-us Atlantic...and Russia is drilling Siberia, just a few, short miles
across the Bering Straight from Alaska.
The Arabs and Russians must be laughing hilariously at our predicaments !
Common sense would be to start drilling ANWR and off shore immediately, to relieve current "gas pains". Then, rule out all "pork barrel" spending and divert these
wasted funds to a "Manhattan Project" clone, to make the US energy independent over the next 10 years. Allow NO politicians to touch the project, only scientists
and retired energy company execs on the panel.
...But ruling out the "pork' will be difficult, since the Democrats have become extremely addicted to a porcine menu, and are highly unlikely to be ready to abandon pork for
the good of the nation..
Just think of the audacity, when Democrats refer to themselves as "progressive"...Yee Haw..
In any case, Crusty should look at the voting record on it..Dems solid against progress..joined by a very few, misled Reps...